What is it about professional English that feels so different from what we learn in school? You might know all your grammar rules, but then you step into a meeting and hear people talking about «touching base» or «circling back,» and suddenly, it feels like a whole new language.
In the American workplace, we love idioms. We use them to make communication faster, softer, and sometimes more colorful. Becoming familiar with these expressions won’t just help you understand your coworkers—it will help you step your game up and speak with more confidence.
Here are 10 popular and modern office idioms that will help you sound like a pro:
1. On the same page
To have the same understanding or to agree with others.
- Before we finish the meeting, I want to make sure we are all on the same page regarding the deadline.
- Let’s have a quick chat to ensure the marketing team and the sales team are on the same page.
2. Touch base
To briefly contact someone to give or receive an update.
- I’ll touch base with you on Thursday to see how the project is coming along.
- Hey Sarah, can we touch base for five minutes before the presentation?
3. Circle back
To return to a topic or a conversation at a later time.
- That’s a great question, but let’s circle back to it at the end of the meeting.
- I don’t have the data right now, but I’ll circle back with you once I talk to the manager.
4. Get the ball rolling
To start a process or a project.
- We need to get the ball rolling on the holiday campaign if we want to launch it on time.
- Let’s get the ball rolling by assigning the first few tasks today.
5. Think outside the box
To think creatively or to find unconventional solutions.
- Our usual strategy isn’t working, so we really need to think outside the box this time.
- She is known for thinking outside the box and coming up with unique marketing ideas.
6. Burn the candle at both ends
To work very hard without resting (usually early in the morning and late at night).
- Mark has been burning the candle at both ends to finish the report, and he looks exhausted.
- I know it’s crunch time, but try not to burn the candle at both ends for too long.
7. Put (something) on the back burner
To give something low priority for now.
- Let’s put the website redesign on the back burner until we finish the product launch.
- That’s a good idea, but we have to put it on the back burner because our budget is tight.
8. Play it by ear
To deal with a situation as it develops instead of having a fixed plan.
- We don’t know how many clients will attend the event, so we’ll just have to play it by ear.
- I’m not sure what time the meeting will end, so let’s play it by ear for lunch.
9. Bring to the table
To provide something useful (skills, ideas, or assets) to a group or a project.
- She brings a lot of experience to the table, especially in international sales.
- What kind of solutions can your team bring to the table for this specific problem?
10. Win-win situation
A result or agreement that benefits everyone involved.
- If we lower the price and they sign a longer contract, it’s a win-win situation.
- This partnership is a win-win situation for both companies.
I hope these idioms help you feel more comfortable during your next «9 to 5»! Remember, you don’t need to use all of them at once. Start by picking one or two that you like and try to use them in your next email or meeting.
What about you? Have you heard any other strange expressions at work that you didn’t understand? Leave a comment below and I’ll help you figure them out!
See you next time on the blog!